“Ah, crap.” Adam threw his backpack on his bed and grabbed his shoes, pulling them back on. He got one shoe on and while yanking on the other, hopped on one foot to his bedroom door, swinging it open.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41GNZhc91k 維尼

    “Mom!” He called down the stairs. “I forgot my history textbook at the mortuary! I’ll be back soon!”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡk23ZxSUlxq 維尼

    Adam climbed out his window and swung his body under the closest fire escape bar, taking the steps down two at a time. Adam’s family lived in a old apartment building they had renovated and made into a house, and constructed a garage attached to the back of the building. They’d kept most of the old features of the apartment, like the fire escapes for example, Adam’s revolving door of getting in and out of the house.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpbJSgaaeF 維尼

    He grabbed his bike chained up to the drainpipe underneath the fire escape. With a running start, Adam headed down the street and eventually swung his other leg over the bicycle seat.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD94rje82G 維尼

    He was well old enough to have his drivers license but his parents wouldn’t take him to get his official copy and money was tight. Adding Adam to the family’s insurance was currently out of the question, let alone buying him a car. His parents had said maybe by the start of his senior year, but the very same senior year started a month ago and there wasn’t hope of a car happening anytime soon.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpKPh0Q8FF 維尼

    Adam had talked himself into being fine with the situation. He always tried to be understanding for his parents, not wanting to push things he knew he shouldn’t. He didn’t want to be extra trouble for them so typically, he stayed quiet. Between him and his younger twin sisters, Isabelle and Hazel, they were a lot to work with while running a family business. A family business of starting up and owning a funeral home and mortuary. That’s right.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvpd3qHPMP 維尼

    Adam was used to the looks he got when people found out what his parents, what his family, did for a living. It didn’t bother him anymore but it took some getting used to. It wasn’t every kid on the block whose parents prepared dead people for funerals.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xqlAjuTf2 維尼

    The mortuary was a five minute bike ride from his house and was where Adam usually spent his hours after school. Which would explain why his history textbook was probably sitting next to the formaldehyde on the back counter. Perfect. He’d go to school smelling like dead people again. Just what every kid wanted.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzAlplBzxG 維尼

    He passed the sign advertising for the business, sitting on a small section of grass right next to the driveway entrance that led out to the road. It was still lit up in bright white lights. 8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA7jQjXC5N 維尼

DARCY FAMILY FUNERAL HOME & MORTUARY CENTER8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6b8CeSTF1 維尼

    Adam steered his bike into the parking lot and jumped the sidewalk curb. His bike rattled against the wall of the mortuary, a few feet from the back door as he dropped it. Adam approached the door, ready to unlock it but paused in front of it. It was open.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMrvwsWMNK 維尼

    He had locked it when he left, hadn’t he? Maybe it’d slipped his mind. He edged toward the door, running his fingers along the door frame and around the knob, checking for any kind of scrapes or dents. It all seemed fine. The door was only open a crack, the lock halfway pushed into the door frame. All signs of the possibility Adam forgot to lock up when he left with his dad a few hours prior.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSAshpbsf8 維尼

    He reached for the door knob when a stringy, thin line of blobs on the ground caught his attention. He leaned down and inspected it closer. They looked like blood splatters only black, and seemed to have the texture of tar. It was shiny; brand new and very recent. Adam poked it and lifted his finger to his face. The black stained his fingers, but didn’t run off them. It ran, but was like jelly; thick and slow moving.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHhzGvAmYu 維尼

    A small tinkle of glass jars from inside the mortuary perked Adam’s ears. He knew he hadn’t forgotten to lock up. He pulled the knob and the half pressed in lock softly clicked. The glass tinkling stopped.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVyqYKQbMt 維尼

    Adam crouched and ran around the other side of the mortuary. He reached for his phone, texting the two people—the only two people—he knew he could get over to the mortuary in a situation like this; best friends, Cal Lancaster and Harper DiMarzo. 8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡHByBA7XHo6 維尼

    Cal told Adam once that if he ever needed help committing a crime, he’d be there in half a heartbeat. Adam had to assure Cal that he didn’t have any current or future or any plans ever at all to become a criminal but Cal shrugged and said it was just in case.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKo4nq06cr 維尼

    There wasn’t any criminal activity on Adam’s part but he thought maybe now was a time for Cal’s so-called, just in case you do end up committing a crime. Harper on the other hand was not amused with Cal’s criminal logic that stated Cal would only be available if Adam were ever involved in any sort of felony. Harper’s logic was that she would be there at any time for Adam, no matter the situation, big or small, how dramatic or messy or absolutely annoying. This earned Harper a sheepish smile from Adam (who didn’t know how the conversation changed from their English paper topic to always being there for Adam), and a, “that’s what I was getting at” from Cal.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡCth4w3VXzg 維尼

    Not sure who to call first, Adam quickly concluded sending a text in their group chat CHA-CHA, (standing for Cal, Harper, and Adam. Cal added the second CHA because, “there is no one Cha without a second Cha.”) would be the best way to tell them both at the same time.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVt6vgZQwe 維尼

    Cal called Adam within twenty seconds of him sending the text.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTtMlHUDNg 維尼

    “Cal?” Adam whispered, dropping to the ground once he was safely on the other side of the building.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwU8gv4YD7 維尼

    “Dude, you know I’m only coming because I’m your friend,” Cal said. He sounded like he was pulling on a coat the way his voice was so loud next to the microphone. “Otherwise, I would in no way be going to a mortuary at this hour of night. Seriously, do you know where you are right now? Do you know what this looks like?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡXv113v6cYb 維尼

    “Cal, I don’t have time for this!” Adam ferociously whispered.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gvK9hvpFH 維尼

    “It looks like the start of a horror film, right before the first jump scene,” Cal described, practically ignoring all of Adam’s urgency. Cal was ready for this. This is what he had been talking about with helping me with felonies, Adam thought. Either he thinks I’m going to die or something is going to happen with the person inside.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2WfiY5tRr 維尼

    “Right before it’s all about to go down,” Cal was still saying, “the first murder happens. That gets the town talking, they start looking for the killer—”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVEgBivCdg 維尼

    “Why are you saying that right now?” Adam whisper-yelled into the phone. “I’m the one about to be slaughtered by who knows what’s in there!”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡuL7d6ld96D 維尼

    “First off…slaughtered? Nice word choice.” Adam could imagine Cal ticking off his fingers as he made his list. “Second…with an attitude like that, you most definitely are going to be slaughtered.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDlVEdztpD 維尼

    “Hey, woah! Not helping!”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡadpfduA359 維尼

    “Okay, you don’t even know if they’re armed or whatever.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhB0eJMSWv 維尼

    “It’s a mortuary, Cal. There isn’t a drawer in there that doesn’t have some sharp tool in it.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUTqKaVOxf 維尼

    Adam’s phone buzzed in his hand. He checked his screen.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡnW2RSP4wR8 維尼

    “Harp is calling me,” Adam reported.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQse25O9wq 維尼

    “Don’t even think about hanging up,” Cal threatened. “I don’t want to be the one to find your body.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiCLjvuxd9 維尼

    “I’ll be talking to Harper,” Adam assured. “Just get here.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡArZJk4nlKX 維尼

    “Give me five minutes.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8pomQwoXf 維尼

    Adam switched lines.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrzW2VwcG3 維尼

    “I think there’s someone in the mortuary,” he answered the phone, keeping his voice low and quiet.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡILRovFMk8M 維尼

    “What?” Harper shrieked on the other end. “Someone broke in?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjkGaLKQKf 維尼

    “I’m pretty sure,” Adam said peeking around the corner of the building. No one had come out of the door and he hadn’t heard any other noises. “Cal said I’m going to get slaughtered and I’m pretty sure he’s right.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC3KcMYRMA 維尼

    “Can you see anything?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX3b1pZEkr 維尼

    “I’m around the corner of the building,” Adam said whipping his head back behind the safety of the brick and mortar. He was cowering; he knew he was. “I can’t see anything, but someone is definitely in there. I heard them.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u4hhgiZnO 維尼

    “Okay, Adam, all seriousness. Go home. What’re you doing back there so late?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOSiscyYHQ 維尼

    Adam paused. His reason was stupid, but it was the only one he had. “I left my history textbook.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpPLP0nqxa 維尼

    Harper’s line went quiet. “You’re joking.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡxO4eknpiWh 維尼

    Adam started to shake his head then remembered he was still on the phone. “Wish I was.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5Y0bL8vn1 維尼

    “You’re risking your life for Mr. Taulman’s history textbook?!” She shrieked. “It’s a textbook. Very easily replaceable. Get up, go home, tell your parents and figure this out with them. You don’t need to be poking around the mortuary when some jacked up, messed up creep-o is lurking in there at this time of night. Like, who does that?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0H66b5ksE 維尼

    Adam was about to respond when the back door slammed open. The person opened it so wide that the door hit Adam’s bike because he heard the bang of the metal door colliding with handlebars.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61rCZ9Ue0e 維尼

    Adam scurried to his feet, phone still clutched in his hand, running for the road, hoping to make his way to the shopping strip across the street.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkmXyuY9Xm 維尼

    Something grabbed the collar of his jacket and yanked him back. Adam halted to a stop and fell to the ground, choking.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ489kZa5PSa 維尼

    A tall, skinny, extremely pale kid with ghostly white hair was crouched over Adam’s head, upside down in his vision. In the kid’s hand were two scalpels, pointed too close to Adam’s face than he would have liked.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rXOsoaYtm 維尼

    “Hang up the phone,” the kid ordered.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ4O7WfMPT 維尼

    Adam didn’t wait a second longer and hung up on Harper in the middle of her sentence.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5kl9kEU0l 維尼

    “You alone?” The kid asked, quickly looking around their immediate surroundings. The scalpels looked particularly sharp. Adam had seen his parents use them more than once on multiple occasions but now that it was pointed directly at him, the blade became more than a mortician’s tool.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaJFX60EZk 維尼

    Adam nodded, mute. He stuck his hands above his head in surrender, knuckles grazing the asphalt he was flat against. His phone was still tight in his grip. Pale Boy nudged the phone out of Adam’s hand with his foot, kicking it like a soccer ball at the bushes on the far side of the parking lot.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0jSBRjnUz 維尼

    Adam lifted his head and watched the phone soar. It entered the bushy prison with a small leaf ruffle.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9IyjUij1M 維尼

    “Who was that?” The kid motioned at the bushes the phone resided in, with the scalpels he held.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡydjF7a7kGf 維尼

    “Um…my….uh, friend.” Adam stuttered, setting his head back on the ground.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdGwBL6tHP 維尼

    “Do they know where you are? They coming?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfZvfrwDRy 維尼

    Adam didn’t answer and the kid took that as a yes.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDaETBS6Lt 維尼

    “Get up.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79UXoVvwT3 維尼

    Adam scrambled to his feet and went along with Pale Boy who held the blades securely against Adam’s back. So securely, Adam thought the blades would draw blood. Pale Boy called it “motivation” as he walked behind Adam back to the building, through the door he had slammed open and into the hallway, opening up to the mortuary.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41dFvULmNW 維尼

    Pale Boy dumped Adam into a sitting position in the corner, the farthest away from any door or window. The all too familiar whiff of formaldehyde exploded up Adam’s nose and the normal cold temperatures he was used to, sent chills running over his skin.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd7G2aoLSw 維尼

    There was only one light on in the room, above the counter Adam sat by. The rest of the room was dark, making it difficult for Adam to see his capturer. 8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡig8l9bek1q 維尼

    Adam noticed the kid walked with a limp, but it wasn’t like he had a bad leg; it was like he was injured. Adam watched the kid a little longer, trying to discover more about him.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTuV3j2VWg 維尼

    “Wha—” Adam started but the kid whipped around and pointed the blades at Adam again. Even from across the room it was just as threatening. Did he know how to throw knives? Adam wondered. The chance was probably very slim, but even a slim chance was a chance.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKELyTr90v 維尼

    “Uh-uh.” Pale Boy shook his head. “You don’t get to talk unless I say.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡicUG3qqTE1 維尼

    Adam pinched his lips shut but his brain was working fast. He analyzed his sort-of kidnapper. 8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLKuYOQBaD 維尼

He had a limp. Adam could easily outrun him.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3oTkD8fpK 維尼

But then again, he had caught up to Adam in the parking lot regardless of his limp.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQeIrvPwym 維尼

Scratch number 1.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBzvCdvYO7 維尼

He wasn’t paying much attention to Adam slumped in the corner. 8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡeC83CHbKNZ 維尼

He needed something. He was looking for something and Adam could use that to his advantage. To bargain.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWojo2O1vc 維尼

    The only setback? Pale Boy had a knife. Two knives and whether he was handy with them or not, Adam didn’t know. Which brought Adam back to the question, if Pale Boy was a good knife thrower. Adam knew that he himself, was not good with a knife or any form of close quarters combat, if it came to that. Not that Adam had tried, but whenever it came to hand-to-hand combat in any video game, Adam always lost. If he couldn’t stay alive in a video game, how did he expect to survive it in real life?8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31NRP794HZ 維尼

    “You own this joint?” The pale kid asked. He was searching through drawers slowly but kept slamming them shut and moving onto the next. He looked back at Adam, waiting for an answer.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcbHPzuxLx 維尼

    Adam didn’t give him one and Pale Boy smirked.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYtmEUjUEg 維尼

    “I’m going to tell you what I think,” he said. “From the way you’re sitting so comfortably in here, and the fact you were coming in through the back door, tells me you do. Probably, most likely, owned by your parents because you look like you’re still in high school. You help out here after school and on the weekends because it’s a family business and you just might end up taking over one day. Because of that, you have to find some time to do your homework, and what better place than the family business?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ITNVQvqE4 維尼

    The kid paused and looked back at Adam.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYJIiQD24M 維尼

    “Am I getting close?” He asked, then continued without giving Adam the chance to respond.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvZRYt149S 維尼

    “But when you leave, sometimes you forget things. But, hey! That’s fine because your parents own the place and you can come back whenever and get it. Right?” Pale Boy dropped a heavy object on the ground and slid it across the floor with his foot, sending it right to Adam’s crossed legs. Adam’s history textbook. Or more accurately, Mr. Taulman’s history textbook. Adam grabbed it, set it in his lap and kept his eyes down.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2Mjtu94Cz 維尼

    “Looks like I was spot on.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWTwxGBdMf 維尼

    Adam flicked his eyes up. Pale Boy had gotten closer, coming more into the light. Adam couldn’t look away from his eyes. They were yellow. Not traffic cone yellow, or neon 80s yellow, but more of a banana yellow. The yellow irised eyes were mixed with small gold and brown flecks, adding more texture to the kid’s eyes and emphasizing the solid color behind it all. Adam hadn’t seen Pale Boy’s eyes the first time because of how dark it was.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTRKJu76ad 維尼

    “What are you doing here?” Adam asked trying to keep his voice from cracking. He was pleasantly surprised when it didn’t.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd8OnXylyk 維尼

    Looking at the boy entirely, he seemed off. Like something people would turn their heads and stare at. With his bright white hair and now yellow eyes, Adam was sure of it.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ138Ukk0gpT 維尼

    Pale Boy looked like he was going to cut Adam off and snap at him for talking, but gave up. 8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTanyVcPKA 維尼

    “Looking for some supplies,” Pale Boy droned. He was going through cabinets and drawers at a very slow pace, continuing around the room painfully slow. Adam assumed it was because of his injury but he couldn’t see any indication of where the injury was specifically.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dbKlUxB4s 維尼

    “Can’t go to a hospital?” Adam asked.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkYIs9o6ns 維尼

    “Hospital’s aren’t really my scene.”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5jeLtsWQ8
    “You need medical attention and you decide hospitals aren’t your scene?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlzTjjy9W9 維尼

    “It was either this place or the vet, another two miles out of the way. So I settled with this, okay?” Pale Boy found some gauze and tossed it onto one of the chrome body trays.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkTxci3hA3 維尼

    “What’s your name?” Adam asked hopefully.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBa6eC7FHC 維尼

    The kid chuckled. “Nice try.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPWJIXzO5k 維尼

    “Okay, at least tell me where you’re injured? Maybe I can help?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡiltYvMOOQ2 維尼

    The kid stopped looking through the room and swiveled his head in Adam’s direction.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGZFDwEwTL 維尼

    “You’re pretty observant, I’ll give you that,” Pale Boy complimented. “But I didn’t say you could talk. Shut up, or I eat you.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrqeKcdzy9 維尼

    He said it so seriously, Adam didn’t know if he was kidding or not. He laughed at the absurdity.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwuqcYgJda 維尼

    “Did you—”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHNJLdnvOo 維尼

    “You want me to eat you?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtRkof6aOU 維尼

    Oh. Adam’s body froze solid, his mind screaming.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrtZbEaLjc 維尼

    Did he just say he’d eat me?! What is this, some sick cannibalistic joke?! What the— Adam let a string of curse words go in his head, plenty of which he’d never say in front of his mother in fear of being sent to the bathroom to get his mouth washed out with soap like he was a little kid again.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡftFrxVRX3A 維尼

    The sound of tires rolling through the parking lot came from outside, headlights crossing through the windows, shining on the mortuary walls until they stayed still. Two car doors opened, then closed and the soft pad of two pairs of feet shuffled across the asphalt.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66CcO2ePHO 維尼

    “Does someone else know you’re here?” Pale Boy’s head jerked up. “You said no one else was coming.” His tone sounded scared but also like he was so done and tired of dealing with witnesses of his break-in.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LFGDcFy6v 維尼

    Adam said nothing, just in case Pale Boy wasn’t joking after all. He tried his best to stay expressionless.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡTigHGchFyd 維尼

    Pale Boy limped to investigate the back door, disappearing down the hallway.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡYctqHWSItp 維尼

    Adam let out his breath, moved the textbook off his lap and was up on his feet, dashing toward the door leading into the connecting funeral home. It was locked. He patted his pockets down for his keys but there wasn’t any jingling. There’s another thing his mom would kill him about. Maybe he dropped them in the parking lot?8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HAKcu1UMb 維尼

    Footsteps echoed quietly in the hallway and the metal door closed. Adam grabbed a scalpel from the drawer and pushed it up his sleeve, resuming his criss crossed position on the floor with the book in his lap.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mILD9Ox4L 維尼

    Cal appeared first, leading the hostage train, then Harper, with Pale Boy right behind them, giving the exact treatment he had given Adam. Pale Boy motioned toward the ground with the knife to have Cal and Harper take a seat next to Adam.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLwSXSRpy5 維尼

    “I didn’t have an attack plan set up…at all…so we winged it,” Harper whispered taking a seat on the other side of Adam. She watched Pale Boy walk away back toward the cabinets. He found another needed piece of medical material he needed and tossed it next to the gauze.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ2qK7K9He 維尼

    “Who the freak is this guy?” She swatted a stray hair out of her face.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡRv8fyWijZK 維尼

    Adam tightly smiled but still didn't say anything. He shrugged, eyes wide. He brought a finger up to his lips, letting Harper and Cal know. 8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5k5owz137 維尼

    “What are you doing?” Cal asked, whispering at Adam’s darting eyes. “Just talk.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡtegA569OQA 維尼

    Adam held up five fingers. Cal hit them away.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNulnrU64V 維尼

    “No,” Cal whisper-barked, “you’re not going to charade it to us.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OWR4VYcfT 維尼

    “Well I don’t want to die,” Adam responded. He immediately bit his lips together.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuhgMNqpoD 維尼

    “Okay, yep, I get it,” Harper responded a little too quickly and pinched her lips.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLTzEXKJ9W 維尼

    “You,” Pale Boy called across the room. He pointed at Adam and Adam’s eyes bulged. “Get up and get over here. Find the gauze and something to stitch me up with.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDUi9kJqEY 維尼

    Adam stood slowly and walked over to Pale Boy. Slyly, at the same time, Harper reached into her pocket and dialed 9-1-1.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxvaY1enrc 維尼

    Adam opened the cabinets the gauze and bandages were in. He set it down on the counter and Pale Boy came back and forth, moving the supplies to the metal tray. Adam glanced carefully to the side, back to Harper and Cal sitting on the ground. Harper whispered quietly in her phone, calling the police.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxXXJAaGIC 維尼

    “How are you planning on closing yourself up?” Adam asked, distracting Pale Boy from Harper and Cal.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhKwtX413W 維尼

    “That,” Pale Boy said, still moving supplies, “is where one of you is going to come in handy.” He leaned more on his left leg when he walked.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhofJgLHLK 維尼

    Adam reached inside a different drawer and retrieved a skin stapler, adding it to the pile Pale Boy had made.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K5ZPqQ4JI 維尼

    “Whoa,” Pale Boy said as soon as he saw it. “That looks like some high tech futuristic gun. That’s what you’re going to use?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVPNps8r9f 維尼

    Adam half shrugged and nodded.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqFOq2iaJP 維尼

    “You guys are too good for stitches around here?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j1pWgRtXc 維尼

    “Dead people typically don’t need stitches,” Adam retorted, “they’re dead.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkN9n4gC0E 維尼

    Another set of tire wheels pulled into the parking lot. This time, the lights flashing through the high windows were cycling red and blue.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFpalhFU97 維尼

    Pale Boy’s attention flew to Cal and Harper, and he marched over to them as best he could with his limp.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡTY06oukpvs 維尼

    “Who called them?” He demanded.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qisrwzz4x 維尼

    Harper started yelling trying to get the cops attention. Pale Boy marched back to Adam as quickly as he could and slammed Adam’s body against one of the metal body trays, holding the scalpels against his neck. Harper stopped screaming.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5rQQBtrtV 維尼

    “Either one of you tries to do anything or make any sound,” Pale Boy threatened, “he dies.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡJruJonE4gx 維尼

    Heavy knocking echoed off the back door. The police called from the outside, telling everyone inside the mortuary that they had ten seconds to come out before they came in.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUfi5BfISF 維尼

    Turning his words to Adam, Pale Boy leaned close to him. “I’m going to be right behind you. You’re going to answer the door and get rid of them. If you don’t I’m going to kill everyone here. Including the cops.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCQsEukekh 維尼

    The back door handle jiggled. Pale Boy dragged Adam off the table and pushed him toward the back door. Adam opened the door, Pale Boy behind it so the cops couldn’t see him, but kept the blades pushed against Adam’s side.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NBMmMpHAG 維尼

    “Hi, officers,” Adam said as calmly as he could. His whole body was getting hot from his racing heart. He tried to stand as casually as possible without seeming like he was too much behind the door.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJeX9XyhGg 維尼

    “We got a call from this address saying that there was a problem,” the first officer said. “What’s going on?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYf6zAKuWL 維尼

    Adam smiled and laughed nervously. He cleared his throat and felt a sharp poke in his side.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrcoEpCubD 維尼

    “That was my fault,” Adam explained. “This is my family’s funeral home and mortuary. We own the building. I had to come back to get my history textbook and had a little problem with the alarm code. My name’s Adam Darcy.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAsJOw3cUE 維尼

    Adam was more than upset he didn’t have a license to prove his identity.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ348NOryyu1 維尼

    “The call came from Harper DiMarzo’s phone,” the second officer said and looked behind himself, shining his flashlight on the car parked in the lot. “Is that her car?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJF8ro8ge3 維尼

    Pale Boy listened closer to what they were saying. Harper DiMarzo, that must’ve been the girl who called them.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzBCD7KNI6 維尼

    “Yeah, she came to help me after I couldn’t figure out the alarm code.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhur8cRo3t 維尼

    “You didn't call your parents?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rhvVEJCkp 維尼

    “I didn’t want to bother them. I’m always forgetting the code and I bother them a lot with that. Harper comes and visits a lot so she knows the code for the back door. She has a way better memory than I do.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9s2SuAuiU 維尼

    “Is she here? Can she come tell us that herself?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sySVBrOUR 維尼

    Adam froze. Poke.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpMzUXs06y 維尼

    “Yeah, absolutely,” Adam said a little too quickly. He turned around and shouted for Harper to come to the front.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡekUSnPdNUZ 維尼

    “How about we come in and talk to her? Can we come in?” The first officer asked, taking a step forward.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKFZU7yBiY 維尼

    Adam shook his head. The officer raised an eyebrow.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCCyzxxsd0 維尼

    “I mean, she’s almost up here,” Adam reasoned. He called Harper again and this time, a small shuffle came from the mortuary. Harper appeared behind Adam a few seconds later.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1PKEFCvW3 維尼

    “Can you tell us your name?” The second officer asked Harper.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPzZZBWhE6 維尼

    She had a stupid grin on her face, she almost fooled Adam that she was fine. “Harper DiMarzo. Or do you need my full name? I can give you that too. Harper Monterey DiMarzo. Monterey is a family name on my mom’s side. It’s her middle name too.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGTMhyP12A 維尼

    Pale Boy looked at Harper curiously from behind the door.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsKhV69IM2 維尼

    She’s talking too much, Adam thought after he received a hard poke that felt like it drew blood.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqAWiPG7iA 維尼

    “Why don’t you tell them what you're doing here?” Adam asked.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUEg3L040Y 維尼

    The second officer looked at Adam, a little disappointed the kid had stolen his next question, but nodded, allowing Harper to proceed with her answer.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJHwsclQVj 維尼

    “Adam forgot his history textbook here so when he got here, he called me asking what the alarm code was after a couple of failed attempts. One more time and the company would have notified his parents and that’s the last thing we want. He’s always having to ask him for the code. That way if I know it too, it gets him out a trouble a lot.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcoxLuq2Gf 維尼

    “So then why did you call 9-1-1?” The first officer asked.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4wtr5FXJh 維尼

    Harper drew a blank. She willed her mind to move fast. Thankfully, something came to mind.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDqZCBzO7g 維尼

    “When I got here, Adam had left the back door opened, but hadn’t gotten the code to work. He had gone around to the front to try to see if his parents had stashed a spare code reminder somewhere in the front desk of the funeral home. So when I showed up and saw the back door unlocked, I thought someone broke in.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrU3Yym534 維尼

    Hard poke.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIX93L3Y8i 維尼

    “She hadn’t realized that it was me but before that, she called 9-1-1 just in case I was in danger. But we’re all fine here.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡMX53YgjB8W 維尼

    “9-1-1 is for emergencies, kids,” the first officer said.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnXBPv18KF 維尼

    Harper and Adam nodded in unison.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UCbh6m4n8 維尼

    “We’re really sorry,” Harper said. She actually sounded convincing.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcxGWqi90e 維尼

    Pale Boy pressed the knife deeper into Adam’s side as if to say, Get rid of them.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpei7e1Gr9 維尼

    “Thank you for coming all the way down here, officers,” Adam wrapped up. “We’re sorry to cause you all the trouble.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡssqnwKYCUg 維尼

    The officers both gave Adam and Harper another suspicious look. “We’re glad you’re safe,” the second officer said, “Have a good night.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWVFKNJnLY 維尼

    Adam smiled, relieved they were leaving. “You too.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1iucW3eSl 維尼

    Adam and Harper backed into the mortuary and Pale Boy shut the door, a smile splayed on his face.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡOabvQ10fxn 維尼

    “I’m actually quite impressed with the two of you. You were both perfect and I didn’t have to kill and eat anybody.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4hN7cyaJd 維尼

    Harper couldn’t help herself. “Excuse me?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLxyrJmk4T 維尼

    Pale Boy ignored her, waited at the door until they heard the police car pull away before he motioned back at the mortuary.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7ThiCcuCX
    “What are you doing here anyway?” Harper asked Pale Boy after she was situated back on the ground next to Cal and Adam. “Are you some pedofile of the dead or something? Some creep?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbNVltlOel 維尼

    “Let’s go with, ‘or something’,” Pale Boy said and paused. After a minute, he said, “since you did great with getting rid of the cops, you can ask me one question and I’ll answer it.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcvAZQ7bwp 維尼

    “One each,” Cal negotiated.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQWZPd1ipU 維尼

    “You did nothing,” Pale Boy spat back.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmR0a9xeFB 維尼

    “I stayed quiet,” Cal replied.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyOrs6qVd0 維尼

    Pale Boy teetered his head. “Fair. You did. Okay fine, one each.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNNo6hd4Hb 維尼

    “What’s your name?” Adam spurt out before even thinking about it.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39eAALhYf0 維尼

    Harper punched his shoulder. “We’re supposed to think about it.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡclZ25SNvmc 維尼

    “Sorry, but I’ve been calling him Pale Boy in my head and I’m kind of getting sick of it,” Adam responded, rubbing his shoulder.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡXf00MKKRMO 維尼

    “Pale Boy?” The kid asked. “Really?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsiMxS3nhJ 維尼

    Adam nodded. “That’s my question. What’s your name?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI4kJwmrKi 維尼

    Pale Boy bit the inside of his cheek and looked at Harper, Cal and Adam. “Julius,” he responded.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzIfdhFtgv 維尼

    “One name?” Adam pressed. “No last name? What are you, Beyoncé?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5oMcw0Miq 維尼

    “Everyone knows that Beyoncé’s last name is Knowles,” Harper muttered to Adam. “That was a bad example.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8rBDWPVeH 維尼

    Adam looked at her. “What are you, Sia?” He tried again. He saw Harper nod out of the corner of his eye.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡr95GT4fqFr 維尼

    “Better,” she whispered.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WVAalEdMS 維尼

    “To you,” Julius said, “Yeah, I’ve only got one name. It’s all you need to know. Is your second question why I only have one name?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7KD3bFA74 維尼

    “No,” Cal piped up. “How’d you get hurt, Orange? What happened? Let’s see.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡZC4QEAj3GK 維尼

    Orange? Adam mouthed to Cal. Cal smirked at his own joke.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9zsir7S6n 維尼

    Julius hesitated for a second too long. He pulled off his shirt and turned around so they three of them could see his back. “Animal attack.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxCrPTIsoB 維尼

    By the look of Julius’s wound, Adam was stunned he was still standing upright. Four massive black bloody gashes slashed diagonally across his back, red puffy skin  that was threatening infection. The liquid seeping from Julius’s body matched the substance Adam had found on the pavement outside the mortuary.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYTVTUsHPQ 維尼

    “An animal attacked you and you walked away with four insanely clean cut lacerations, minus the shredded skin, and no other bumps, bruises or scratches on you? How does that work? I’ve never seen an animal make that big of a gash that lives in this area,” Adam analyzed.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyYFlHov0B 維尼

    “Coyote?” Julius offered. 8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88ARlj2zeS 維尼

    “Are you just throwing out options hoping we’ll believe one?” Adam’s skepticism of Julius was building with every passing second.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeEMIpPDVI 維尼

    “Okay, you got me,” Julius confessed. “It was a zombie attack.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGlpXz20HA 維尼

    Cal’s jaw dropped.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sy4bZzkDr 維尼

    Harper’s forehead folded in on itself.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuPK9WrymH 維尼

    Adam laughed. 8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvHkzk7GaK 維尼

    “What’re you talking about?” Adam asked.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSoO2OpfTp 維尼

    “No freaking way,” Cal said at the same time Adam asked his question.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡavjhtuFIBh 維尼

    Adam raised his eyebrows at Cal then looked back at Julius. “You seriously think I’d believe that? Right after you offered up coyote?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQmJxTZMpr 維尼

    Julius shrugged but winced as soon as he did. “Worth a shot. I was looking for bandages and somewhere to stitch myself up. This is the closest place I could find that wasn’t swarming with people, but was close enough and wasn’t a hospital.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zPw4k2cBG 維尼

    “Well I hate to tell you but I don’t have stitches. I have a skin stapler gun and it’s going to hurt like crazy if you use it.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXnAzxi1ey 維尼

    “Whatever,” Julius said. “You guys came at a superb time because I can’t fix it myself.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXQsFCu107 維尼

    Cal turned his head around, pushed himself back in the chair and slapped Adam’s back. 8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBwfgjwuhu 維尼

    “Alright, Darcy,” Cal said yanking Adam to his feet. “Look’s like you’re up.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNYaPkxf4f 維尼

    “Me? What, why me?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡavJcq8K3Gp 維尼

    “Your parents are morticians,” Harper explained, agreeing with Cal’s choice.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSBkElEx0h 維尼

    “That doesn’t mean I’m medical. I don’t even know the first thing!”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡeR5VRQfH3G 維尼

    “But it does mean that you know the right way to hold a scalpel and that puts you in the lead out of the three of us.” Cal pushed Adam forward. “So good luck.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8kR8EKfEd 維尼

    “I’m not helping him,” Adam said, looking back at his friends.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuWt75Q2h0 維尼

    “Yes you are,” Julius said. “Police may be gone, but my eating you still hasn’t changed.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxSmFqDVyd 維尼

    “Why do you keep saying that?” Harper asked.8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mwtGnyO9s 維尼

    Julius stared at her. “Is that your question?”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQ5xiVStTA 維尼

    Harper threw her hands in the air. “Why not? You’re sounding really creepy and it’s making me super worried.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxAl9iboZT 維尼

    Julius nodded like he agreed with Harper’s point. “Adam fixes my back and then I’ll answer your question.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BCjAQWxfF 維尼

    Harper stepped to the side and gestured at Julius to Adam. “Let’s get going.”8964 copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwZEohGMVm 維尼Your story here...

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